The following lists events that happened during 2020 in West Africa.
January January 3 Nineteen people are killed and homes and other buildings are burned by unidentified gunmen in Tawari, Kogi State, Nigeria.Unidentified gunmen kill 19 people in central Nigeria Al Jazeera, 3 Jan 2020 January 6 – 2020 Gamboru bombing: 30 killed and 35 injured in a bomb explosion in Gamboru, Borno State, Nigeria.Nigeria hit by deadly bomb attack near Cameroon Deutsche Welle, 7 Jan 2020 January 7 Emeritus Archbishop of Lomé, Togo, Philippe Fanoko Kossi Kpodzro, calls for the suspension the February 22 presidential election to pave the way for electoral reforms. President João Lourenço of Angola congratulates Guinea-Bissau president-elect Umaro El Mokhtar Sissoco Embaló for his December 29 election.Angola: President Congratulates Umaro Embaló January 8 – West Africa's largest wind farm opens in Taiba NDiaye, Tivaouane Department, Senegal. January 10 – Fête du Vodoun, Benin January 13 Leaders of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger join French President Emmanuel Macron in discussing security issues at a summit in Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France.French summit aims to boost counterterror fight in W. Africa President Issoufou Mahamadou fires Niger's army chief of staff after attacks against have killed at least 174 security force members since December. President-Elect for Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalóu, visits the Gambia. January 14 Authorities in Ivory Coast say they rescued 137 children from Benin, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo, aged 6 to 17, who were the victims of traffickers and groomed to work on cocoa plantations or in prostitution.Cote d'Ivoire: Ivory Coast Rescues 137 Child Trafficking Victims Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, president of the Senegalese Olympic Committee, promises Dakar will be ready to host the 2022 Summer Youth Olympics. January 15 The United States calls for a reduction of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) with a new focus on protecting civilians. France and Russia oppose reductions.US calls for smaller UN force in Mali, Russia says no change By EDITH M. LEDERER, AP, 15 Jan 2020 Senegalese-born American rapper Akon (Locked Up) announces that plans for his new city, called "Akon City" and located near the Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport have been finalized. The new city will trade exclusively in his digital coin Akoin. The office of Karamba Diaby, who was born in Marsassoum Arrondissement, Sédhiou Region, Senegal, a member of the German Bundestag (English: Parliament) from Halle (Saale), Saxony-Anhalt, and a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, is shot at. The International Maritime Bureau (IMO) says piracy in the Gulf of Guinea increased 50% in 2019. January 16 Three aid workers who were held hostage since 22 December 2019 are released in Borno State, Nigeria.Armed group frees kidnapped hostages in Nigeria Al Jazeera, 16 Jan 2020 Henry Costa, chairman of the Council of Patriots (COP), was arrested in Freetown, Sierra Leone on January 15.Liberia: S. Leone Arrests Council of Patriots Leader Henry Costa - Turning Him Over Wednesday Despite an extradition request from Liberia, on January 16 Costa boarded a Royal Air Maroc flight, presumably en route to the United States.Liberia: Costa Reportedly On Way to U.S. After Sierra Leone Rejects Extradition Request By Rodney Sieh, allAfrica/FrontPageAfrica, 18 Jan 2020, retrieved 8 Feb 2020 January 20: Gambian Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou warns that former president Yahya Jammeh will be charged and arrested if he returns to the Gambia.Gambia: Justice Minister Warns Jammeh Will Be Arrested, Charged If... By Momodou Jawo, ThePoint (Banjul)/allAfrica, 20 Jan 2020 January 22 – Globeleq and the government of Togo sign an agreement to develop between 24MW and 30MW of reliable, low cost, 100% renewable energy to support Togo's industrial development.Togo: Globeleq to Develop Renewable Energy Project in Togo allAfrica, 22 Jan 2020, retrieved 8 Feb 2020 January 24 Lassa fever outbreak kills 29 in 11 states of Nigeria this month.Lassa fever outbreak kills dozens in Nigeria Al Jazeera, 31 Jan 2020 Tens of thousands are left homeless as homes in shanty town are demolished near Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in the Ivory Coast.Ivory Coast demolitions: Shantytown near airport cleared by Laura Burdon-Manley, Al Jazeera, 24 Jan 2020 January 26: Thousands protest against a roll-back in press freedom in the Gambia.Gambian President Barrow Rolls Back Press Freedom By Chrispin Mwakideu, DW (allAfrica), 31 Jan 2020, retrieved 8 Feb 2020 137 people are arrested in protests against President Adama Barrow.Gambia arrests 137 in protests urging president to step down By CARLEY PETESCH, AP, 27 Jan 2020 January 30 – Senegal encourages a transition toward eco-farming on a national scale to protect its food supply from the effects of climate change.Senegal Turns to Eco-Farming to Protect Food Supply As Climate Changes January 31 U.S. President Donald Trump expands the travel ban to include Nigeria and five other countries.Trump expands travel ban to six additional countries Al Jazeera, 27 Jan 2020 Authorities in Côte d'Ivoire oppose the release of former president Laurent Gbagbo by the International Criminal Court (ICC) because his return would destabilize the country.Cote d'Ivoire: Government Says Gbagbo's Return Would Destabilize the Ivory Coast By Wairagala Wakabi, allAfrica, 31 JANUARY 2020
February The United Arab Emirates gives Mauritania US $2 billion in development aid.United Arab Emirates gives Mauritania $2B for development AP, 2 Feb 2020 February 3 Armed gunmen kill 18 civilians in Lamdamol, Sahel Region, Burkina Faso. A week earlier, 39 people were killed in Soum Province for a total of 110 civilian deaths this year.Gunmen kill at least 18 civilians in northern Burkina Faso By ARSENE KABORE, AP, 3 Feb 2020 A three-day workshop of the "Sahel Women's Empowerment and Demographic Dividend" (SWEDD) begins in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.Africa: SWEDD 2 kicks off as the SWEDD initiative goes to scale February 4: US $300 million (£230 million) seized from former Nigerian president Sani Abacha's laundered accounts will be returned to Nigeria.Jersey bank's £230m seizure set to be returned to Nigeria BBC News, 4 Feb 2020 February 5 Mawlid (Birth of the Prophet) The African Development Bank (AfDB) signs a US$81.7 million loan agreement with Ghana to finance roads and community development along the 695-kilometer Eastern Corridor Road.Ghana, AfDB Sign $81.67m Loan Agreement to Finance Eastern Corridor Road Phase 1 The 2020 Sunhak Peace Prize is awarded to President Macky Sall of Senegal and Bishop Munib Younan, the International Honorary President of Religions for Peace. February 6 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): Voice of America reports that according to UNICEF, 97% of women in Guinea and 75% in Gambia, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Sierra Leone undergo (FGM).Female Genital Mutilation Still Prevalent in West Africa By Annika Hammerschlag, Voice of America, February 06, 2020 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials dismantle an “impossible to replace” kora belonging to Ballaké Sissoko of Mali during a security check-in New York. A note of apology written in Spanish was left in the case.US customs dismantled 'impossible to replace' instrument, Mali musician says by Amanda Holpuch, The Guardian, 6 Feb 2020 5,000 African nationals from different countries cannot be evacuated from the outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China because the countries do have the resources.Africans in Wuhan: Homesick and fearful of coronavirus by Clarissa Herrmann, DW (English), 6 Feb 2020 Ghana's government promotes cashew farming.Ghana: Tree Crop Development Authority to Develop Cashew Farming - President Liberia ends tariff on rice.Liberia: Weah Issues Executive Order Suspending Tariff On Rice February 7 Liberia and the European Union (EU) sign a €3.5 million development agreement. They expect to sign agreements worth €42 million for rural electrification and €12 million for technical and vocational training soon.Liberia, EU Sign 3.5 Million Euros Development Cooperation Pact February 14 Gunmen burn houses, steal livestock, and kill 21 people in Ogossagou, Mopti Region, Mali. 150 people were massacred in the same village a year ago.Gunmen kill at least 21 in central Mali village AP, 14 Feb 2020 International flights to Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria, are diverted to Accra International Airport in Accra, Ghana, due to poor weather and complications with new equipment. February 16 – Twenty-four civilians are killed and three are kidnapped near a Protestant church in Yagha Province, Burkina Faso.Gunmen kill 24 in attack near church in Burkina Faso AP, Feb 16, 2020 February 17 – Twenty people are trampled to death during a stampede of Nigerian refugees waiting for food in Diffa, southeastern Niger.Niger aid stampede: At least 20 killed in Diffa BBC World, 17 Feb 2020 February 19 – Umaro Sissoco Embola is scheduled to be inaugurated as president of Guinea Bissau February 22 – 2020 Togolese presidential election.Togo: Archbishop Kpodzro Joins Calls for Suspension of February Presidential Elections Incumbent President Faure Gnassingbe wins reelection with 72% of the vote.Togo's president wins, keeping family's long hold on power By LEKAN OYEKANMI and DIDIER ASSOGBA, AP, 24 Feb 2020 February 24 – The United States shifts its military mission in Africa to training as American lawmakers oppose troop reductions.New Army training team heads to Africa By LOLITA C. BALDOR, AP, 24 Feb 2020 February 28 – Nigeria confirms the first case of COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa.Nigeria confirms 1st case of new virus in sub-Saharan Africa By BASHIR ADIGUN and CARA ANNA, AP, 28 Feb 2020
March March 12 Senegal reports 13 cases of COVID-19. Testing results are available in four hours (compared to a week in the U.S.), and scientists at Dakar's Pasteur Institute are working on a test that can produce results in ten minutes.Senegal is reportedly turning coronavirus tests around 'within 4 hours' while Americans might wait a week by Jeva Lange, The Weel/Yahoo! News, 12 March 2020 COVID-19 pandemic in Africa: At least 18 African countries, including Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and COVID-19 pandemic in Togo report cases of COVID-19. Most are in single figures, and no deaths have been reported in Sub-Saharan Africa.Coronavirus spreads to more African countries Al Jazeera, 12 March 2020 March 14 Canadian Edith Blais and Italian Luca Tacchetto, who were kidnapped in Burkina Faso in 2018, are released in Mali. March 15 Senegal imposes travel restrictions, bans cruise ships, and closes schools for three weeks in response to the coronavirus. They also ban public gatherings for a month including Muslim and Christian pilgrimages. Mauritania imposes travel restrictions and closes schools for three weeks in response to the coronavirus. In a historic first, all Peace Corps volunteers worldwide are withdrawn from their host countries. March 17 – The Niger Armed Forces say they have killed 50 members of Boko Haram in Toumour.Niger says army kills 50 Boko Haram extremists after attack By DALATOU MAMANE, Associated Press, 17 March 2020 March 22 – 2020 Guinean legislative election and a constitutional referendum: Voters approve changes to extend the presidential term for twelve years.Guinea voters back change that could extend president's rule By BOUBACAR DIALLO, AP, 28 Mar 2020 March 24 – Between 50 and 75 Nigerian soldiers are ambushed and killed by Boko Haram in Goneri village, Yobe State, Nigeria.At least 50 Nigerian soldiers killed in Boko Haram ambush Al Jazeera, 24 Mar 2020 March 26